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The method and apparatus for forming flanged holes and a resulting plate and tube assembly of the type used in fluid-to-fluid, such as gas-to-gas, liquid-to-liquid and liquid-to-gas, heat exchangers. A depression is formed with the aid of a punch in a plastically deformable metal sheet such as steel

The method and apparatus for forming flanged holes and a resulting plate and tube assembly of the type used in fluid-to-fluid, such as gas-to-gas, liquid-to-liquid and liquid-to-gas, heat exchangers. A depression is formed with the aid of a punch in a plastically deformable metal sheet such as steel, aluminum, copper and the like, while applying controlled counterpressure with the aid of a larger counter-punch so that material displaced from the space between the punches is laid upon the inner bore of a constraining die. Thus the wall of the depression is formed by purely compressive means. The base of the depression may then be removed to provide deep flanges of controlled dimensions free of cracks or splits.

대표청구항 ▼

An apparatus for forming a plate structure including an integral depression, comprising: clamp means for clamping said plate except at an area corresponding to the location of said depression; a punch engaging one side of said plate at said depression area; a counterpunch on the other side of said p

An apparatus for forming a plate structure including an integral depression, comprising: clamp means for clamping said plate except at an area corresponding to the location of said depression; a punch engaging one side of said plate at said depression area; a counterpunch on the other side of said plate opposite to said punch and having a cross-sectional area greater than the area of said punch, the difference in extent of said area defining the thickness of the side walls of said depression, said punch and counterpunch being movable in the same direction but at different rates, said counterpunch supported by resistive means to create sufficient pressure in said area of said plate to cause metal displaced from the area between said punch and counterpunch to be laid upon the internal surface of a confining die in which said counterpunch is slidably mounted, to produce a depression in said plate having heavily deformed walls and a base thinner than said plate.